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A Portland Fire Investigator has determined that the fire was caused by a careless smoker. The estimated damage cost is still unknown at this time.

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February 4, 2012

6:29 PM

At 9:48 am this morning Portland Fire & Rescue responded to a report of a house on fire at 13015 SE Sherman Street. Firefighters from Portland Fire Station 7 (Mill Park) arrived 4 minutes later and found light smoke coming from under the eves of the house.

The crew from Engine 7 pulled a hose line into the abandoned building and began pulling away the ceiling to expose the majority of the fire which was in the attic space. As Engine 7 was extinguishing the flames the crew from Truck 7 climbed onto the roof and determined they needed to open part of the roof in order to release the heat, smoke and fire gasses. This ventilation process is done to improve the fire conditions inside the building. Although the house was abandoned, fire crews still conducted a thorough primary and secondary search to ensure there were no people or animals inside.

"Life safety will always be our number one priority and so even if a house looks abandoned, we never assume. We search once and then we search again." Said Portland Fire Lieutenant David Barron.

The fire was brought under control at 10:10 am and a Portland Fire Investigator is on scene working to determine the fire cause and damage estimates. Information regarding the cause of the fire and the estimated damage cost will be given as it becomes available.